CAREER HELPLINE: 086 999 0123 CALL CENTRE: 0800 87 2222

Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology

​

Dr Nzimande was appointed as Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology on 30 May 2019. He was Minister of Transport from 27 February 2018 to 25 May 2019. Dr Bonginkosi Emmanuel "Blade" Nzimande was the Minister of Higher Education and Training in the Republic of South Africa from 26 May 2014 until 17 October 2017.

He is a general secretary of the South African Communist Party; chairperson of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Education; deputy chair of the Central Committee of the South African Communist Party; and chairperson of the Financial Sector Campaign Coalition.

​Academic Qualifications

Dr Nzimande holds a Doctorate in Philosophy specialising in Sociology from the University of Natal.

Career/Positions/Memberships/Other Activities

Dr Nzimande has has lectured at the University of Zululand in 1985, and was a lecturer in Industrial Psychology at the University of Natal in 1987.

He was a Council member at the University of South Africa; a member of the National Deployment Committee of the ANC; chairperson of the board of trustees at the Centre for Educational Policy Development; a council member at the University of Transkei; a council member at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, and chairperson of the African National Congress Parliamentary Study Group on Education.

Dr Nzimande has published: Unsocial Science Indicator SA Vol. 11, No. 2; Schooling in the context of violence in SA: the challenges of change, edited by V Maphai, published by Harare SAPES Books; Schooling in the context of violence, Durban: Education Policy Unit; Civil Society and the role of the National Education Coordination Committee (NECC), Durban: Education Policy Unit; Civics are the National Democratic Revolution, Mayibuye No. 5; Political violence and the struggle for control in Pietermaritzburg, Journal of Southern African Studies Vol. 15. No. 3; and Civics and Civil Society: a reply to M Mayekiso, work in progress co-author with M. Sikhosana.

Dr Nzimande has also written a book titled Children of wars: the impact of violence on schooling in Natal Durban: Education Policy Unit.​

Contact

PA to the Minister

Ms Siphokazi Shoba

Tel : +27 12 843 6485

Chief of Staff

Mr Lucky Masuku

Tel : +27 12 843 6842

Media Liaison Officer

Mr Ishmael Mnisi

Tel : +27 12 843 6809

Administrative Secretary

Ms Mmathapelo Sako

Tel : +27 12 843 6717

News

Minister Nzimande says RPL to be applied more widely

11 April 2017 – Minister Blade Nzimande says “recognition of prior learning (RPL) will be applied more widely, especially for young adults who wish to access programmes in our colleges. Admission will not only be based on qualifications held by learners”. Some 90 learners also graduated at the launch of the Umgungundlovu TVET College RPL Centre. Full speech

Did you know?

Dr Blade Nzimande is the first minister of Higher Education and Training, appointed in 2009, reappointed in 2014. ​